Assessment of routine practice in outpatient oncology, St James’s Institute of Oncology, Leeds, UK: Doctor-patient communication and shared decision-making

Project Start Date: 2nd October 2009

Anticipated End Date: 31st August 2010

Aim/ Objective

To provide an understanding of routine outpatient oncology practice in terms of doctor-patient communication and decision-making. This information will help to develop and evaluate an oncologist training programme in interpretation and response to patient-reported health related quality of life data.

Method

We plan to involve approximately 120 patients undergoing chemotherapy for advanced colorectal, gynaecological or breast cancer. Four consecutive chemotherapy review consultations are recorded for each participant. Participants are also asked to complete questionnaires relating to doctor-patient communication, medical care and health related quality of life after their 1st and 4th consultations.